The European Union has hailed Uganda’s progress in climate leadership and committed to strengthening joint efforts to build a resilient, low-carbon and circular economy during the Green Diplomacy Week reception in Kampala.
Speaking at the event, EU Ambassador to Uganda Jan Sadek applauded Uganda’s commitment to green development, including financing long-term climate plans and rolling out a 30-year renewable energy roadmap.
“We are revitalizing the Nalubaale and Kiira hydropower plants and installing renewable energy systems in over 123 villages,” Ambassador Sadek said.
He added that plans are underway to electrify more roads and expand support for electric boda bodas as part of efforts to enhance Uganda’s competitive green economy.
Representing the Minister of Water and Environment, Permanent Secretary Dr Alfred Okot Okidi thanked the EU for its continued partnership and emphasised the shared mission to balance environmental protection with economic transformation.
“Our collaboration translates environmental necessity into coordinated action across sectors,” he said, noting that circularity will play a central role in Uganda’s goal to grow its economy ten-fold in the next decade.
He outlined government initiatives to incentivize resource-efficient production, support industries in redesigning products for sustainability, invest in green skills training, and ensure communities benefit from emerging opportunities in the green economy.
“No community or worker will be left behind,” Dr Okidi stressed, highlighting the importance of indigenous knowledge and community-driven conservation efforts.
Joint EU-Uganda initiatives—such as the EU-GOU Forest Partnership, Partnership for Forests, Sustainable Charcoal Value Chains, and SPGS—are driving key targets including restoring forests to achieve 21% national tree cover by 2030, reducing deforestation, creating decent jobs in forestry, promoting legal and value-added wood products, and strengthening biodiversity conservation and fair benefit-sharing.
The event underscored a shared commitment to building an innovative, inclusive and environmentally secure future, with both sides affirming that strong collaboration will be essential to a fair and sustainable green transition.